Jack Draper gets compared to Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner by Holger Rune after Indian Wells heartbreak
Jack Draper scripted history on Sunday after sinking Holger Rune in straight sets in the Indian Wells final.
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Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, Jack Draper (Image via X/Jose Morgado, Wimbledon, We Are Tennis, Britsh Tennis UP)
Jack Draper‘s commitment to his game was praised by Holger Rune after the latter succumbed to a 6-2, 6-2 defeat in the Indian Wells final. Rune, who was chasing his first ATP title since the 2023 BMW Open, compared Draper with the two Grand Slam champions, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz.
Rune beat two-time Indian Wells finalist Daniil Medvedev in the semifinal to set up the clash with Draper, who entered the summit clash on the back of his 6-1, 0-6, 6-4 win over Alcaraz in the semifinal. The Dane denied the Spaniard a chance to join Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer by completing a three-peat in the tournament.
Rune said that a player like Draper who is full of confidence after knocking out Alcaraz shouldn’t given the slightest chance. The 21-year-old has learned that to give a tough fight, he must play more aggressively and have confidence in his game just like Sinner and Alcaraz.
You know, he’s [Alcaraz] so committed to his game, and I think that’s the reason why he’s 21 and with four Grand Slam titles and a bunch of Masters titles, I think that’s because he’s so committed to his game style, and the same, Sinner has done well, and I think this week that’s what Jack has been doing incredibly well.
Holger Rune said at the press conference
It was Rune’s second ATP Masters 1000 final following the 2022 Paris Masters which he had won with a three-set victory over Djokovic. Draper tied the head-to-head record over Rune to 1-1. His defeat in the final meant that the former World No.4 failed to secure a spot in the top 10 for the first time since April last year.
Tim Henman makes bold prediction after Jack Draper wins Indian Wells
Jack Draper became only the second Briton to win at Indian Wells after Cameron Norrie lifted the title by beating Nikoloz Basilashvili in 2021. The 23-year-old has also become the fifth British man to take home an ATP Masters 1000 title following Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Greg Rusedski, and Norrie.
After his Indian Wells win, many expressed their wish to see Draper win a Grand Slam. Henman too praised his compatriot and wished him the best for the big events.
He absolutely took Rune apart 6-2, 6-2 to win his first Masters title, this is a day he will remember forever. Enjoy this moment, soak it up. He’s had a lot of humps in the road on his journey. The vast majority of people lose every week. This is the first of many Masters 1000 titles and he can be in the finals of Grand Slams and he can win Grand Slams. Onwards and upwards for Jack.
Tim Henman told Sky Sport
Draper came close to his first Grand Slam title last year. He reached the semifinal of the US Open where eventual winner Jannik Sinner knocked him out in straight sets.
At Wimbledon, he never progressed beyond the second round, while at the French Open, he’s yet to advance to the second round. He produced a decent performance at the Australian Open this year when he made it to the fourth round.
Jack Draper becomes second youngest Briton to achieve feat after Indian Wells win
Jack Draper has grabbed a spot in the top 10 after Indian Wells victory for the first time. This made him the second youngest British man after three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray to become a top 10 player.
He was assured of the No.8 spot after his semifinal win. But after winning the third ATP and the biggest title of his career, he has become a new World No.7.
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